Sweets & Snacks Expo to feature international attendees

WASHINGTON — A show devoted to snack food is expected to draw suppliers from 22 countries when it kicks off in May, the show’s sponsoring organization said.

The 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo, which will take place May 21-23 at Chicago’s McCormick Place, is expected to be the most successful in the event’s 16-year history, with a nearly sold-out show floor, according to the National Confectioners Association.

"NCA recognizes the power of U.S. brands around the world, and the expo serves as a destination for global markets to come together," NCA president Larry Graham said. "The 2013 expo is the ideal venue to connect with industry professionals from around the world and to discover international products and trends that will set retailers apart from the rest."

In addition to Brazilian, Chinese, German and Mexican pavilions, the show will have its first-ever Ecuadorian pavilion. Latvian prime minister Valdis Dombrovskis will visit the show as well, and the show will feature products from companies like Sweden’s Solberga Konfektyrfabrik, Netherlands-based Hellema Hallum, Latvia-based Pure Chocolate and products from Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

"Every year, we host a number of country pavilions, but in 2013, we are thrilled to host a new country’s pavilion, and number of new international companies as well," Graham said.

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Sixty-two percent of teenagers say they don’t eat breakfast every day of the week, according to a new report released Monday that investigates the link between nutrition, physical activity and academic performance.

The report, "The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic Success Through Healthy School Environments", was the work of the GENYOUth Foundation, National Dairy Council, the American College of Sports Medicine and the American School Health Association.

"Brain imaging shows that children experience improved cognitive function and higher academic achievement after just 20 minutes of physical activity," University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign neuroscience professor Charles Hillman said. "Combining the many benefits of physical activity with good nutrition habits that support healthy weight can have a powerful impact on a child’s potential to learn."

The study also found that people who eat breakfast have better attention and memory that those who skip it. Three-quarters of high school students aren’t active for the recommended 60 minutes each day, while those who were more active during school performed better on standardized tests for reading, math and spelling.

"Poor nutrition, inactivity and unhealthy weight not only lead to poor academic achievement in children, but also create hard costs for individuals, schools and society at large," former U.S. surgeon general and current director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute David Satcher said. "These costs include spiraling healthcare expenses, lower productivity and a future workforce unprepared for success. We must find solutions to improve nutrition and physical activity for our society’s future well-being, and it must start in our homes and schools."

Cheetos introduces Mix-Ups snack mixes; Chester Cheetah joins Twitter

PLANO, Texas — Cheetos is mixing things up with its new Cheetos Mix-Ups snack mixes, which combine four Cheetos snack flavors in various shapes in one shareable bag. The brand, part of PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division, also announced that its spokescat, Chester Cheetah, has joined Twitter as @ChesterCheetah and is asking fans to tweet their opinions of the new snack.

"Cheetos fans enjoy a variety of tastes — some want hot and zesty while others crave cheesy and crunchy," said Ram Krishnan, VP marketing for Frito-Lay North America. "Now with Cheetos Mix-Ups snack mix, there’s no shortage of delicious cheesy flavors and textures to choose from, all in one fun, shareable bag for the whole family."

The new snack mixes are available nationwide in 8 3/4-oz. and 3 3/4-oz. packages for suggested retail prices of $3.49 and $1.49, respectively.

The protein drinks contain pea-protein, nine grams of sugar, no more than 160 calories, and come in four flavors, while the cold-pressed juices come in two options and contain seven ingredients and no sugar.

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